System with controller and memory

ABSTRACT

According to the system of the present invention, data (DQ) signals are outputted/received between a controller  100  and a memory  200  based on a data strobe signal sent out from the controller  100 . The data strobe signal is independently and completely separated from a clock signal. The data strobe signal has a frequency different from a clock signal. Therefore, the memory  200  is not required to generate a read data strobe signal from the clock signal nor to send the read data strobe signal in synchronization with the clock signal.

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/736,763 filed Jan. 8, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/488,602 filed Jun. 5, 2012 which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/149,504 filed May 31, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/710,481 filed Feb. 23, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/759,862 filed Jun. 7, 2007, which claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-160204, filed on Jun. 8, 2006 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a system having a controller and a memory and, more particularly, to a data sending/receiving operation between the controller and the memory.

In a conventional data sending/receiving operation between the controller and the memory, either the controller or the memory who serves as a sender generates a data strobe signal which is synchronized with a clock signal. Data signals are sent out from the sender is synchronized with the data strobe signal as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,209B1, Description of the Related Art, the contents of U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,209B 1 being incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,209B1 points out some problems on the use of the data strobe signal and, alternative to the data strobe signal, proposes a system which sends/receives the data in synchronization with the clock signal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system based on a new protocol which is different from the above-described conventional techniques.

One aspect of the present invention provides a system comprising a controller adapted to send out a first data strobe signal and a write data signal in a write operation. The write data signal is synchronized with the first data strobe signal. The controller is adapted, in a read operation, to send out a second data strobe signal and to receive a read data signal in synchronization with a read data strobe (RDQS) signal. The read data strobe signal corresponds to the second data strobe signal. The system also comprises a memory adapted to receive the write data signal in synchronization with the first data strobe signal in the write operation. The memory is adapted, in the read operation, to send out the read data strobe signal in response to the second data strobe signal and to send out the read data signal synchronized with the read data strobe signal.

The controller may be further adapted to produce a clock signal and to send the clock signal to the memory. Each of the first and the second data strobe signals and the read data strobe signal may be independent of and separated from the clock signal.

Each of the first and the second data strobe signals and the read data strobe signal may has a frequency different from the clock signal.

Each of the first and the second data strobe signals and the read data strobe signal may not be in synchronization with the clock signal.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a system wherein the memory comprises a low speed memory and a high speed memory. The controller sends out a clock signal having a clock frequency. The controller also sends out first and second lower data strobe signals as the first and the second data strobe signals for the low speed memory and receives lower read data strobe signal as the read data strobe signal from the low speed memory. Each of the first and the second lower data strobe signals and the lower read data strobe signal has a frequency equal to or lower than the clock frequency. The controller sends out first and second higher data strobe signals as the first and the second data strobe signals for the high speed memory and receives higher read data strobe signal as the read data strobe signal from the high speed memory. Each of the first and the second higher data strobe signals and the higher read data strobe signal has a frequency equal to or 2 n times (n being an integer) as the clock frequency.

An appreciation of the objectives of the present invention and a more complete understanding of its structure may be had by studying the following description of the preferred embodiment and by referring to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a structure of a system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of a controller of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of a memory of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an example of a data I/O (input/output) synchronization signal generating section and a data I/O section of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows another example of the data I/O synchronization signal generating section and the data I/O section of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an example of a timing chart showing a write operation of the memory in the system of FIG. 1 (double data rate);

FIG. 7 is another example of a timing chart showing a write operation of the memory in the system of FIG. 1 (quad data rate);

FIG. 8 is an example of a timing chart showing a read operation of the memory in the system of FIG. 1 (double data rate);

FIG. 9 is another example of a timing chart showing a read operation of the memory in the system of FIG. 1 (quad data rate);

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an application of the system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of a controller applicable to the system of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of a controller according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an example of a timing chart showing a write operation of the memory in the system according to the second embodiment (double data rate);

FIG. 14 is another example of a timing chart showing a write operation of the memory in the system according to the second embodiment (quad data rate);

FIG. 15 is an example of a timing chart showing a read operation of the memory in the system according to the second embodiment (double data rate); and

FIG. 16 is another example of a timing chart showing a read operation of the memory in the system according to the second embodiment (quad data rate).

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 1st Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1, a system according to a first embodiment of the present invention has a controller 100 and a memory 200. The controller 100 outputs a clock signal, command signals, and address signals to the memory 200. The controller 100 also outputs and receives data (DQ) signals into/from the memory 200.

The controller 100 is adapted to send out a first data strobe signal and a write data signal in a write operation. The write data signal is synchronized with the first data strobe signal. The controller 100 is also adapted, in a read operation, to send out a second data strobe signal and to receive a read data signal in synchronization with a read data strobe (RDQS) signal. The RDQS signal corresponds to the second data strobe signal.

The memory 200 is adapted to receive the write data signal in synchronization with the first data strobe signal in the write operation. The memory 200 is adapted, in the read operation, to output the read data strobe signal in response to the second data strobe signal and to send out the read data signal synchronized with the read data strobe signal.

In this embodiment, each of the first and the second data strobe signals and the read data strobe signal is independent of and separated from the clock signal. In detail, each of the first and the second data strobe signals and the read data strobe signal has a frequency different from the clock signal, and is not in synchronization with the clock signal in this embodiment.

In the data read operation, the data strobe signal sent out from the controller 100 loopbacks via an interface section (not shown) of the memory 200 and is used as a data reception synchronizing signal at the controller 100.

In the system according to the first embodiment, the write/read operations to/from the memory 200 are controlled by the data strobe signal outputted from the controller 100. The write and the read operations can be carried out without the use of and independently from the clock signal. Therefore, it is not necessary for the memory 200 to produce the data strobe signal from the clock signal nor to make the read data strobe signal synchronize with the clock signal.

Now, description will be made about the system in which the clock signal has a constant and fixed frequency while the data strobe signal has the frequency different from the clock signal.

Referring to FIG. 2, the controller 100 according to the first embodiment has a C/A (command/address) control circuit 10, a PLL/DLL 20, a divider 30, a data strobe signal generating section 40, an input/output control circuit 50, a data synchronous output section 60, and a data synchronous capture section 70.

Supplied with command/address outputs, the C/A control circuit 10 generates internal command signals and internal address signals. The internal command signals and the internal address signals are sent to the memory 200 via a buffer as the command signals and the address signals, respectively. In the present embodiment, the internal command signals are also sent to the I/O control circuit 50.

Supplied with a base clock signal, the PLL/DLL circuit 20 generates an internal clock signal and a signal having the frequency at 2n times (n being a positive integer) based on the base clock signal. The divider 30 generates a signal having the frequency at 2p times (p being a negative integer) as the internal clock signal. Each of the PLL/DLL circuit 20 and the divider 30 functions as an intermediate clock signal generator for generating a plurality of intermediate clock signals including the internal clock signals. Each of the plurality of intermediate clock signals has different frequency. In the present embodiment, the intermediate clock signal generator generates the intermediate clock signals each of which has the frequency at 2m times (m being an arbitral integer) as the internal clock signal. The internal clock signal is sent to the memory 200 via the buffer as the clock signal. As shown in FIG. 1, the internal clock signal also functions as an operation clock in the controller 100.

The data strobe signal generating section 40 receives the plurality of intermediate clock signals from the PLL/DLL circuit 20 and the divider 30 and selects one of the intermediate clock signals. Based on the selected intermediate clock signal, the data strobe signal generating section 40 generates an internal data strobe signal under the control of the input/output control circuit 50. The internal data strobe signal is sent out as the data strobe signal to the memory 200 via the buffer. In the present embodiment, the internal data strobe signal is also sent to the data synchronous output section 60.

The input/output control circuit 50 receives the internal command signal and, if the received command is a write command signal, activates the data synchronous output section 60. If the received command is a read command signal, the input/output control circuit 50 activates the data synchronous capture section 70. The input/output control circuit 50 of the present embodiment also outputs a frequency selecting signal to the data strobe signal generating section 40. The frequency selecting signal indicates one of the intermediate clock signals to be selected for use in generating the internal data strobe signal. In the present embodiment, the data strobe signal generating section 40 is a selector which is brought into the activation state for the predetermined period of time while the frequency selecting signals are supplied thereto. The input/output control circuit 50 determines the activation period of the data strobe signal generating section 40, i.e., the period of producing the frequency selecting signals. During the activated period, the data strobe signal generating section 40 outputs the data strobe signal having the predetermined length in consideration of the preamble period. In addition, the input/output control circuit 50 determines a timing to start the activation period of the data strobe signal generating section 40 in consideration of a latency corresponding to the write/read commands.

While being activated under the control of the input/output control circuit 50, the data synchronous output section 60 outputs the data as the DQ signal to the memory 200 via the buffer in synchronization with the internal data strobe signal.

On the other hand, while being activated under the control of the input/output control circuit 50, the data synchronous capture section 70 captures the read data, i.e., the DQ signal in synchronization with the RDQS signal which was sent out from the memory 200.

Referring to FIG. 3, the memory 200 according to the first embodiment has at least a data I/O (input/output) section 210, a data I/O synchronous signal generating section 220, and an internal clock signal generating section 230. The data I/O (input/output) section 210 sends and receives the DQ signals between the controller 100. The data I/O synchronous signal generating section 220 generates a synchronous signal for controlling the operation of the data I./O section based on the data strobe signal and generates the RDQS signal from the data strobe signal in the read operation. The internal clock signal generating section 230 generates an internal clock signal upon receiving the clock signal and sends out the internal clock signal to circuits for command/address and so on. As shown in FIG. 3, the input/output operation of the memory 200 is carried out based on the data strobe signal received from the controller 100 and is completely separated from the clock signal.

FIG. 4 shows the data I/O section 210 and the data I/O synchronous signal generating section 220 a applicable to the embodiment of the present invention. The data I/O synchronous signal generating section 220 a has the buffer for generating the input synchronous signal from the received data strobe signal and an output synchronous signal generating section for generating the RDQS signal as well as the output synchronous signal from the intermediate synchronous signal from the buffer. The data I/O section 210 has a data latch for latching the DQ signal in synchronization with the input synchronous signal and outputting the same as the write data, and a data output buffer for receiving the read data and outputting the same as the DQ signal in synchronization with the output synchronous signal to the controller 100. In FIG. 4, the data strobe signal and the RDQS signal are transmitted in a single-ended transmission system.

FIG. 5 shows the data input/output (I/O) section 210 and the data I/O synchronous signal generating section 220 b applicable to the embodiment of the present invention. According to the example shown in FIG. 5, the data strobe signal and the RDQS signal are transmitted in the differential transmission system. The data I/O synchronous signal generating section 220 b has the structure same as the that described above with reference to FIG. 4 except that the structure of the receiver amplifier and the driver are different.

FIGS. 6 to 9 are timing charts showing the operations of the system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 6 and 7 are the timing charts showing the write operation of the memory 200 and FIGS. 8 and 9 are the timing charts showing the read operation of the memory 200.

Referring to FIG. 6, the clock signal and the data strobe signal has the same frequencies. Data are captured in synchronization with the rising edge and the falling edge of the data strobe signal. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the data rate of the data strobe signal is twice as the frequency of the clock signal.

Referring to FIG. 7, the data strobe signal has the frequency twice as the frequency of the clock signal. Data are captured in synchronization with the rising edge and the falling edge of the clock signal. In this case, the data rate of the data strobe signal is four times as the frequency of the clock signal. Referring to FIG. 2 together with FIG. 7, the example shown in FIG. 7 can be obtained by generating the data strobe signal based on the intermediate clock signal having the frequency twice as that of the internal clock signal selected by the data strobe signal generating section 40.

Referring to FIG. 8, the clock signal and the data strobe signal has the same frequencies. Data are sent out in synchronization with the rising edge and the falling edge of the data strobe signals. The data rate is twice as the frequency of the clock signal.

Referring to FIG. 9, the data are captured in synchronization with the rising edge and the falling edge of the frequency of the data strobe signal having the frequency twice as that of the clock signal. The data rate is four times as the frequency of the clock signal. Referring to FIG. 2 together with FIG. 9, the example shown in FIG. 9 can be obtained by selecting one of the intermediate clock signals having the frequency twice as that of the internal clock signal and generating the internal data strobe signal based on the selected one of the intermediate clock signals by the data strobe signal generating section 40.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, tRDQSD represents the spontaneous delay amount which is added to the data strobe signal while the data strobe signal is outputted as the RDQS signal via the data I/O synchronous signal generating section 220 a (FIG. 4) or 220 b (FIG. 5). The delay amount shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is not a strict delay amount such as the delay replica incorporated in the DLL. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the depiction of the tRDQSD helps it clearly be understood that the DQ signal is synchronized with the RDQS signal but is not synchronized with the clock signals. According to the present embodiment, the DQ signal can be transmitted/received in synchronization with only the data strobe signal. Therefore, the structure of the input/output section of the memory 200 can be simplified.

Next, description will be made about another example of the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 10, the system has a high speed memory and a low speed memory. Hereinafter the high speed memory is called a first memory 300 and the low speed memory is called a second memory 400. The first memory 300 has the high data rate while the second memory 400 has the low data rate.

According to another example, the controller 100 sends out the clock signal having the clock frequency. The controller 100 also sends out first and second lower data strobe signals as the first and the second data strobe signals for the low speed memory 400 and receives lower read data strobe signal as the read data strobe signal from the low speed memory 400. Each of the first and the second lower data strobe signals and the lower read data strobe signal has a frequency equal to or lower than the clock frequency.

The controller 100 sends out first and second higher data strobe signals as the first and the second data strobe signals for the high speed memory 300 and receives higher read data strobe signal as the read data strobe signal from the high speed memory 300. Each of the first and the second higher data strobe signals and the higher read data strobe signal has a frequency equal to or 2n times (n being an integer) as the clock frequency.

According to the first embodiment, the frequency of the clock signal is fixed and constant while the frequency of the data strobe signal is variable and different from the clock signal. Therefore, both the high speed memory 300 and the low speed memory 400 can be operated by the data strobe signals each having the suitable data rate for each memory.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the controller 100 capable of automatically controlling the frequency of the data strobe signal when the first memory 300 and the second memory 400 are distinctly different from each other within an address space. In this case, the frequency of the data strobe signal is automatically controlled depending on the content of the address. In FIG. 11, the same reference numbers are given to the structures same as those illustrated in FIG. 10 and the description therefor will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 11, the internal address signal outputted from the C/A control circuit is supplied to the input/output control circuit 52. The input/output control circuit 52 receives the internal address signal and judges whether the received signal is designated for the first memory 300 or the second memory 400. Based on the judgment result, the input/output control circuit 52 sends out the frequency selection signal to the data strobe signal generating section 40. The frequency selection signal is used to select the frequency corresponding to the designated memory. According to the first embodiment, the data strobe signal generating section 40 sends out the data strobe signal having the frequency suitable for either the first memory 300 or the second memory 400 under the control of the input/output control circuit 52.

Second Embodiment

The system according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. According to the second embodiment, the frequency of the data strobe signal is fixed and constant while the frequency of the clock signal is variable. The memory 200 of the second embodiment has the same structure as the first embodiment. The controller 100 of the second embodiment has the structure slightly different from the first embodiment. Hereinbelow, the detailed description will be made about the different parts of the structure with reference to FIGS. 12 to 16. In the second embodiment, the same reference numbers are given for the parts those are same as the first embodiment and the description therefor will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 12, the controller according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the C/A control circuit 10, the PLL/DLL 20, the divider 30, a clock signal selecting section 42, the data strobe signal generating section 44, the input/output (I/O) control circuit 54, the data synchronous output section 60, and the data synchronous capture section 70.

Under the control of the I/O control circuit 54, the clock signal selecting section 42 selects one of the plurality of intermediate clock signals outputted from the PLL/DLL 20 and the divider 30. The clock signal selecting section 42 outputs the selected intermediate clock signal as the clock signal to the memory 200 via the buffer.

The data strobe signal generating section 44 receives a specific one of the plurality of intermediate clock signals outputted from the PLL/DLL 20 and the divider 30. Under the control of the I/O control circuit 54, the data strobe signal generating section 44 generates the internal data strobe signal based on the received intermediate clock signal and sends out the same as the data strobe signal to the memory 200 via the buffer.

The I/O control circuit 54 outputs the frequency selecting signal to the clock signal selecting section 42. The frequency selecting signal is indicative of the signal to be selected among the intermediate clock signals. The I/O control circuit 54 also outputs an activation signal to the data strobe signal generating section 44. The activation signal activates the data strobe signal generating section 44 for a certain and suitable period of time in consideration of the latency corresponding to the write/read command. The input/output control circuit 54 controls the data synchronous output section 60 and the data synchronous capture section 70 in the manner same as the first embodiment.

FIGS. 13 to 16 show the operation timing charts of the memory 200 of the system according to the present embodiment.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show the timing charts of the data write operation. Referring to FIG. 13, the frequency of the clock signal and the data strobe signal are the same. The data rate of the data strobe signal is twice as the frequency of the clock signal. Referring to FIG. 14, the frequency of the clock signal is ½ times as the frequency of the data strobe signal. The data rate of the data strobe signal is four times as the frequency of the clock signal.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show the timing charts of the data read operation. Referring to FIG. 15, the frequency of the clock signal and the data strobe signal are the same. The data rate of the data strobe signal is twice as the frequency of the clock signal. Referring to FIG. 16, the frequency of the clock signal is ½ times as the frequency of the data strobe signal. The data rate of the data strobe signal is four times as the frequency of the clock signal.

The present application is based on Japanese patent applications of JP2006-160204 filed before the Japan Patent Office on Jun. 8, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

While there has been described what is believed to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such embodiments that fall within the true scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving a first signal at a first terminal and a write data signal at a second terminal in a write operation, the write data signal being received in conjunction with the first signal being used as a first data strobe; providing a read data signal at the second terminal in conjunction with a second signal provided at a third terminal in a read operation, wherein the second signal is used as a second data strobe; and receiving a clock signal at a fourth terminal in each of the read and write operations; wherein each of the first and second signals has a frequency different from the clock signal.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second signals has a frequency greater than a frequency of the clock signal.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second signals has a frequency substantially twice that of a frequency of the clock signal.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first signal is a write data strobe signal and the second signal is a read data strobe signal.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first signal, the second signal, and the clock signal are received from a controller.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first terminal, the second terminal, the third terminal, and the fourth terminal are part of a memory.
 7. A method comprising: providing a first signal at a first terminal and a write data signal at a second terminal in a write operation, the write data signal being provided in conjunction with the first signal being used as a first data strobe; receiving a read data signal at the second terminal in conjunction with a second signal being received at a third terminal in a read operation, wherein the second signal is used as a second data strobe; and providing a clock signal at a fourth terminal in each of the read and write operations; wherein each of the first and second signals has a frequency different from the clock signal.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein each of the first and second signals has a frequency greater than a frequency of the clock signal.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein each of the first and second signals has a frequency substantially twice that of a frequency of the clock signal.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the first signal is a write data strobe signal and the second signal is a read data strobe signal.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the first signal, the second signal, and the clock signal are provided to a memory.
 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the first terminal, the second terminal, the third terminal, and the fourth terminal are part of a controller.
 13. A system comprising: a controller configured to: output a first data strobe signal at a first terminal; in response to a write operation, output a write data signal at a second terminal, the write data signal being outputted in conjunction with the first data strobe signal; in response to a read operation, receive, at a third terminal, a second data strobe signal and, at the second terminal, a read data signal, the read data signal being received in conjunction with receiving the second data strobe signal; and output a clock signal at a fourth terminal in the write operation and in the read operation, wherein the first and second signals having respective frequencies that are different from a frequency of the clock signal.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the controller comprises: a first circuit that receives a base clock signal and generates at least a first intermediate clock signal based on the base clock signal; and a second circuit that receives an output of the first circuit and generates at least a second intermediate clock signal.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first circuit comprises at least one of a PLL circuit, a DLL circuit, or some combination thereof.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the second circuit comprises a clock divider circuit.
 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller further comprises a data strobe generating circuit that selects one of the first and second intermediate clock signals and generates the first data strobe signal based on the selected one of the first and second intermediate clock signals.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the controller further comprises an input/output control circuit that determines an activation period of the data strobe generating circuit.
 19. The system of claim 13, wherein the controller comprises: data output circuitry that outputs the write data signal from the controller in synchronization with the first data strobe signal; and data capture circuitry that receives the read data signal in synchronization with the second data strobe signal.
 20. The system of claim 13, comprising a memory device communicatively coupled to the controller, the memory device being configured to: receive the first data strobe signal at a fifth terminal; in response to the write operation, receive the write data signal at a sixth terminal in conjunction with receiving the first data strobe signal; in response to a read operation, output the second strobe signal at a seventh terminal and the read data signal at the sixth terminal, the read data signal being output in conjunction with outputting the second data strobe signal; and receive the clock signal at an eighth terminal in each of the read and write operations. 